Ron Paul, President of Straw Polls, Wins Miami Straw Poll

If the American electorate was made up of straws, gold dealers, and that odd type of overly enthusiastic libertarian (who just happens to ignore the more socially progressive parts of being a true libertarian), Ron Paul would certainly be elected emperor for life. Of course, that's not how American Democracy works, but straw polls sort of do. So it comes as no surprise really that last night Ron Paul won a straw post hosted by various Miami GOP groups by 55 percent.

The "Christmas Social & U.S. Presidential- Senate Straw Poll" was put on last night by the Miami Young Republicans, South Florida Conservative, and Hialeah-Miami Lakes Republican Club at the Alibi in Miami Lakes.

All you have to do to vote in one of these things is be a member of any group, and, as DailyPaul.com points out, that only mean paying a $25 membership fee. DailyPaul points this out of course because Paul supporters have a history of showing up en masse to these things and voting for their beloved Dr. Paul. Which explains how you get results like this:

Ron Paul

67%

Mitt Romney

12%

Gary Johnson

10%

Newt Gingrich

8%

John Huntsman

2%

Of course, back in the non-straw based world of scientific polling, Paul's popularity in Florida isn't nearly as exaggerated. According to the latest NBC News/Marist poll Paul is polling a distant third with just 8 percent in Florida. Then again, Herman Cain rocketed to his brief front-runner status after winning a Florida straw poll (one that the candidates actually cared about mind you), so who knows?